Latest news with #LiverpoolEcho
Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
New Balance £100 trainers 'like walking on clouds' drop to £60 in three colours
The New Balance 327 trainers have been praised for being 'super comfy right out of the box' - and they're currently on sale For those constantly on their feet, finding the right shoes is crucial to avoid back pain and blisters. New Balance is winning hearts for its blend of chic and comfort, with the New Balance 327 Shoes being lauded as 'like walking on clouds'. Described as 'super comfy right out of the box', the New Balance 327 Shoes have garnered acclaim from nurses to shop assistants, leaving fans eager to snap up every shade. With a tempting reduction from £100 to £60 on the New Balance website, it's an opportune moment to try them or expand a collection. The vintage-inspired New Balance 327s are praised for their adaptability, perfect for workdays, leisurely weekends, or jet-setting holidays. They've been celebrated by customers for their 'so comfortable and yet so stylish' qualities, ideal for airport dashes or enduring lengthy shifts. One satisfied nurse remarked: "I'm a nurse who works 12 hour shifts and these sneakers are absolutely perfect. They are comfortable and slip resistant. They are perfect for long standing, walking and running." A retail worker shared their experience: "The absolute comfiest. I am in retail - these are the only shoes I can wear to work that doesn't make my back hurt," reports the Liverpool Echo. While New Balance have them in stock in all four colours, the grey and brown shades are also at ASOS for £100. Sports Direct are stocking the linen hue for £80. Customers will find them in UK sizes 3 to 8 at New Balance. Skechers is another brand renowned for its supremely cosy footwear. The Skechers Women's Graceful Get Connected Trainers, currently discounted to £34.99 on Amazon, have amassed over 12,000 five-star reviews, with wearers praising their 'extremely soft and comfortable' feel. Another devotee of the New Balance brand highlighted the shoes' slip-resistant qualities: "I wanted a pair for a long time and kept putting it off. Finally gave in, and the best purchase I have made. I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and the most comfortable shoe I've worn!" Those battling foot problems have found these trainers to be a blessing. One buyer revealed their story, explaining: "These shoes are great. I have plantar fasciitis and my custom orthotics fit in perfectly. Wore them for 12 hours the first day, and they were extremely comfortable. Super cute and stylish." A tourist covering more than 20k steps daily vouched for their comfort as well: "Not only are these shoes cute but they are super comfortable. Walked for miles and miles in New York City and them and they were perfect." However, some footwear lovers have observed that the suede feature on certain styles can pose difficulties. One particular shopper noted: "Great shoes that are stylish and comfortable! My only concern is the suede." Another enthusiast said: "Love these shoes and so happy that I made this purchase. They are super comfy and do not need to be broken in."
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gun thug 'Lil S' continues to rap on Instagram and TikTok from his cell
A convicted criminal, Shaun Ventre, has gained notoriety on social media as he pursues a music career from behind bars. Serving a 16-year sentence since February 2023 for his role in a drug trafficking operation and possession of a firearm with a silencer and ammunition, Ventre has turned to rapping under the moniker "Lil S". Despite being jailed, videos began circulating on Instagram and TikTok, of him rapping from his cell following the shutdown of his original TikTok account. He often appears on camera in sportswear rapping about crime and his life. Ventre, 25, whose most recent address was listed as Cable Street in Formby, posted a number of the videos, filmed on illegally smuggled in smart phones, on his TikTok and Instagram pages. READ MORE: The 10 best mobile games you can play for free - and number 1 will surprise you READ MORE: 5 retro RPGs you can play right now guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again - you won't have heard of one of them After the Liverpool Echo alerted TikTok to his activity on their platform, his account was shut down for violating rules against filming within prison. Despite this, the Liverpool Echo understands Ventre created a new account within hours of the original being taken down. In a particular video shared online, Ventre can be heard rapping about a "Glock with all the features" and his upbringing in Huyton. With two Instagram accounts amassing over 30,000 followers, his profile suggests it is "run by management", yet numerous videos appear to have been illicitly recorded during his time in custody, reports the Liverpool Echo. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here A spokesperson for TikTok told the ECHO the company had taken action against the account used by Ventre following a review by its moderation teams. It also said it relies on prison staff and law enforcement to identify and notify the use of accounts from prison. Despite repeated attempts to contact Meta, the company did not reply to the ECHO, with one of Ventre's account bios reading: "Fire in the pad. Real rap no cap!! L36 on the map." An investigation has since been launched into Ventre and his social media activity by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), with disciplinary action to be taken if necessary. The MoJ explained the HMPPS Digital Media Investigation Unit (DMIU) has located the relevant social media accounts and submitted takedown requests, with all reported incidents of social media misuse being investigated by the DMIU, who identify and work with social media companies to take down such material. By the time the MoJ began investigating, TikTok had already removed the account without the need for a takedown request. Ventre has managed to gain more than 100,000 views on several of his videos on Instagram, with a prison spokesperson telling the ECHO: "We have launched an investigation into these videos and have requested their removal. 'Any prisoner found with contraband, such as a mobile phone or recording equipment, is breaking the law and could face extra time in prison.' The inmate, who will serve up to 50% of his 16 year sentence before he is released on licence, refers to his previous convictions in his song lyrics. Across various "freestyles", Ventre makes repeated references to his life as a drug dealer, with lyrics including "since I was a kid I pushed crack on the pavements, if I get nicked, no comment, no statement". Ventre also makes reference to his conviction for firearms offences. These include "where I'm from you have to learn how to shoot" and "Glock 19 with the extended clip". According to the wannabe musician, he is putting the life of crime behind him, stating "f**** up the trap, now it's onto the music game". Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE Ventre was jailed following two separate investigations, one run by Lancashire Constabulary which looked into a county lines plot in Blackpool and a second by Merseyside Police after a gun was found in a Merseyside home. The probe in Blackpool, carried out as part of Project Adder - the local response to disrupting drug gangs, followed reports that a county line was operating between Merseyside and the Lancashire seaside town. Officers received intelligence that class A drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine, were being dealt, while children and vulnerable people were being coerced into the gang's criminal activities. Ventre was one of 12 people charged in connection with the probe in the early months of 2022. However it wasn't the first time Ventre was involved in a county lines plot. As a 21-year-old he travelled between Liverpool and Macclesfield to distribute drugs to his network of dealers. Ventre, who was of no fixed abode at the time, was spotted leaving the house of a vulnerable man he had been using as a base of operations. Officers stopped Ventre in a Mercedes and was found in possession of nearly £1,200 in cash, while a quantity of designer clothing worth more than £700 and a graft phone was on a car seat. A woman Ventre was with was found with more than 100 street wraps of heroin, two wraps of crack cocaine and a bag of powder cocaine. Ventre denied any involvement in dealing and claimed all of the money and clothing had been given to him by other people - stating he lived on the generosity of others. He was jailed for four years at the time, meaning he fell straight back into a life of crime while out of prison on licence. He was also confirmed as a suspect in a gun probe after a self-loading Beretta pistol and bullets in a house on York Road in Huyton in November 2021. He was later charged with firearms offences and his cases were joined together when he was sentenced at Preston Crown Court two years later.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Scots may be turned away from France under new rules
The new scheme is set to come into effect from next year Scots and other UK holidaymakers heading to France and other parts of the European Union (EU) could be denied entry if they lack a specific document, once a new scheme is implemented. A new travel permit, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), is being introduced to bolster security and strengthen the borders of the Schengen zone. The ETIAS comes with a 7 euro fee, but according to the most recent update, UK travellers can journey to the EU without one until at least April 2027. Earlier this year, the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs projected that the ETIAS will be launched in the last quarter of 2026. However, due to a transitional and grace period, the obligation to apply for an ETIAS before departure won't become compulsory until 2027. The roll-out of ETIAS is linked to the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES). After several delays, the EU has agreed to gradually introduce the EES from October this year. This phased introduction allows member states to progressively launch the new border system over a six-month period. If the EU decides to implement the EES in October 2025, member states will need to register ten per cent of travellers crossing the border after the first month. For the initial 60 days, the system can operate without biometric functionalities, reports the Liverpool Echo. However, by January 2026, all member states should have the EES operating with biometric functionalities, and by April 2026, the EES roll-out should be complete. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals travelling for short stays, each time they cross the borders of any of the following European countries utilising the system: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. If you're travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you'll need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, upon arrival. The EES registration will supersede the current practice of manually stamping passports when visitors enter the EU. Once the EES is fully operational, the ETIAS will be introduced. According to EU authorities, the ETIAS will be implemented six months after the EES, around October 2026. There will be a transitional period and a grace period, each lasting six months, which means that the ETIAS will become mandatory for most people in April 2027 and fully compulsory by October 2027. And if you don't have an approved ETIAS, you'll be denied entry to your destination country. The ETIAS is tied to a traveller's passport and remains valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first. Should you obtain a new passport, you'll need to secure a fresh ETIAS travel authorisation. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you're allowed to enter the territory of these European countries as often as you wish for short-term visits - generally up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nevertheless, this doesn't guarantee entry. Upon arrival, a border official will ask for your passport and other documentation, checking that you meet the entry criteria. The majority of ETIAS applications will receive approval "almost immediately", but should the system detect a mistake in your ETIAS application it may be refused. ETIAS applications might be declined if your passport is invalid, if you don't complete the application properly, if you do not attend a required interview, if you are considered a "risk" by officials, or if you have a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert. If your ETIAS application is refused you can lodge an appeal.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
DVLA warning to drivers over common online scam
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued an urgent warning to drivers about a new scam The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has sounded the alarm for motorists to use caution online. The alert was broadcast to drivers across social media platforms. In the message, the DVLA highlighted the perils of posting pictures of their V5C log book online. According to the agency, such actions could expose drivers to identity theft. The stark warning said: "Stay safe online – don't share photos of your V5C log book on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use them for identity theft." Commonly referred to as the registration document, vehicle logbook, or simply the V5 form, the V5C logbook is a repository of information about the vehicle, its history, and the person responsible for it. Contained within the logbook are details such as the registered keeper's address, the count of previous owners, and the unique reference number of the V5C document itself, reports the Liverpool Echo. Images of this document could potentially open up drivers to the theft of their personal information. Guidance from the government regarding online scams says: "Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you're not sure they're genuine." The government urges the public to report any dubious websites, emails, phone numbers, calls, or texts that raise suspicion. For those unfortunate enough to fall prey to a phishing scam, the National Cyber Security Centre offers pertinent advice. If you've handed over your bank details, it's crucial to inform your bank immediately. Should you have received the suspect message on a work device, promptly notify your IT department. In case you clicked on a link or installed software as instructed, fire up your antivirus (AV) software, if available, and conduct a thorough scan. Let your antivirus handle any issues it uncovers. If you've given out your password, you should change the passwords for all accounts that share the same one. If you have lost money to this scam, inform your bank and report the incident to Action Fraud (for England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland (for Scotland). The Department for Work and Pensions has also sounded the alarm on a scam with another urgent warning on social media. The government body alerted the public about a bogus "energy support scheme" scam spreading through text messages in a recent post. The DWP warned: "If you get a text about an "Energy Support Scheme" it is a scam". They further guided the public on how to report and recover from any dubious texts, calls, or emails via the Stop! Think Fraud website.
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- North Wales Live
What's On New Balance slashes 'trendy' trainers praised for comfort by 50%
Bargain hunters looking for stylish trainers without breaking the bank will be thrilled to find that New Balance has halved the price of their RC42 Shoes, dropping from £90 to a mere £45 in their sale. Currently, the trainers are up for grabs in sizes 4-9 and boast an impressive 4.3 out of 5 rating in customer reviews. They're described as having a 'low-profile silhouette' paired with a 'minimalist upper', striking the perfect balance between understated and fashionable. The New Balance website details the shoes as: "A classic, minimalist shoe, the low-profile RC42 is built for your active lifestyle." For those who fancy a different label, Nike's massive sale might catch your eye, which you can explore fully here. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. The Nike Zoom Vomero 5 trainers have seen a significant price cut from £144.99 down to £72.49, offering a 50% discount for shoppers, reports the Liverpool Echo. Returning to the New Balance site, one satisfied customer remarked: "Very cute and comfortable right out of the box. On trend and has a somewhat cushioned midsole-perfect for wearing all day". Another happy buyer commented: "These are very comfortable with great cushion inside. I purchased my regular size and width and they fit great. The shoe is actually leather with suede embellishments. Cute with everything. On-trend." And yet another shopper shared their positive experience: "Sharp lifestyle shoe, good for walking got immediate compliments from strangers." A fourth enthusiast commented: "I had been thinking about purchasing these for months and am so glad I finally did. They're super versatile and look even nicer in person! "Besides the clean design, I mainly bought them because I wanted a more comfortable but casual sneaker. Be warned, though, these are very narrow and wouldn't be great for someone with wide feet. "Thankfully it's not a problem for me so they've been very comfy. Couldn't be happier with these shoes! Might purchase another pair in a different color way". Nevertheless, certain customers complained that the footwear caused them discomfort according to the reviews. One assessment said: "I love the way the shoe looks but they give me blisters on the back of my ankles."
